The cold chain storage temperature requirement for OPV (oral poliovirus vaccine) in India under the UIP cold chain system is:

• A 2–8°C at all levels of the cold chain
• B 0–4°C at PHC level only
• C -15 to -25°C at national and state stores; 2–8°C at district and below ✓
• D Room temperature (< 30°C) with VVM monitoring only

Explanation

OPV is a live attenuated viral vaccine and the most thermolabile vaccine in the UIP schedule. The recommended cold chain is: -15 to -25°C at national and state level stores (deep freezers); 2–8°C at district vaccine stores, CHC/PHC cold boxes, and ILR (ice-lined refrigerators). OPV may be stored frozen at sub-district level. VVM (Vaccine Vial Monitor) allows health workers to check heat exposure but does not replace cold chain maintenance. Freezing damages liquid DPT, DT, TT, Hib, and hepatitis B vaccines (causes potency loss from adsorption alteration) but OPV and varicella tolerate freezing.

Reference: Ananthanarayan & Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.